Venetian blind



Jan. 5, 1943. E. M KRAN-rz 2,307,278

VENETIAN BLIND Filed May 5, 1942 2 SllleetS-Sheet l FICiL 7l 5I JZ y 13 1f 2019 7 E /fb ,l E

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BY @51AM/@MQ A TTORN E YS Jan. 5, 1943. E. M. KRANTZ 2,307,278

VENETIAN BLIND A Filed May 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W I TN ESSES I N VEN TOR.-

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Patented Jan. 5, 1943 VENETIAN BLIND Edward M. Krantz, Simpson, Pa.

Application May 5, 1942, Serial No. 441,767

1 Claim.

This invention has reference to Venetian blinds and, more particularly, relates to the species or form com monly known in the art as the singlelif type, in which a unitary cable or pull-cord is utilized for elevating purposes; in contradistinction to the compound-pull variety employing multiple cables or cords. In both forms of such blinds the pull-cord or cords customarily pass through holes or slots piercing the slats and the tilting bar intermediate the head and bottom rails, with the result said bar and especially the slats are weakened. It has, also, been proposed to align the pull-cords medially lengthwise of the inner face of the ladder tapes and to groove the edges of the slats for guiding coaction with said cords; whereas in still other cases means having snap engagement with the slats, are employed for coaction with the pull and tilting means. All of such means, while measurably eective for the purposes had in view, are somewhat complicated and expensive; and, furthermore, whenever it is desirable or expedient to remove or replace a damaged slat or slats, unnecessary time and labor is incurred to make the needful change or repair whereas the removal and replacement of the slats for cleaning has involved mechanical knowledge and skill in addition to the use of appropriate manipulating means.

The primary object of this invention is to overcome the noted disadvantages by providing a Venetian blind wherein the several slats can be individually withdrawn for cleaning, and just as easily replaced, without mechanical aid or knowledge. l

Another object is to provide a Venetian blind of the species dened in the preceding paragraph wherein the slats are removable and replaceable with assurance that, when replaced, they willj `operatively coact with the ladder-tapes and pull-cord.

A further object is the provision of a singlelift Venetian blind including novel guide means for the pull-cord, in respect to the head-rail and tilting-bar, whereby operating friction and wear on the cord is reduced to a minimum; while raising and lowering of the blind is greatly facilitated.

Other objects and ancillary advantages residing in this invention relate to structural details.

form, location and operation. of the constituent fticularly defines the features of novelty over the prior art.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a Venetian blind embodying the improvements of this invention with part broken out to contract the View, and additional portions in section for clearer illustration of otherwise hidden details.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the plane II--II in Fig. 1 with the direction of View indicated by associated arrows.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section along the line III- III in Fig. 1 with the direction of view designated by the accompanying arrows.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of one ofthe blind slats; and, I

Fig. 5 is an underside perspective view of the blind bottom rail.

In describing the preferred form of this invention exemplified by the above captioned drawings, specific terms will be employed for the sake of clarity; but it is to be understood the scope of said invention is not thereby limited, each such term being intended to embrace all equivalents which perform the same function for an analogous purpose.

Referring more in detail to the drawings the improved Venetian blind, comprehensively designated by the numeral 6, comprises a head-rail or supporting member 1 having a longitudinal groove 1' in the upper half thereof and communicating elongate recesses or pockets 8 with I2, I3, freely rotative on stationary pivots I4, I5 l respectively. The pivots I4, I5 are, preferably, opposedly inclined relative to the horizontal, see

Fig. 2,to best advantage, for influencing'the cord portions toward the opposed longitudinal edges of the head-rail 1; for vertical mid-registration with respect to the ladder tapes I6, I'I, and for a purpose hereafter explained. It is to be here remarked that the respective pockets 8, preferably, have their side walls 8' sloped at right-angles to the axis of the pivots I4, I5 so that the sheaves I2, I3 are prevented from axial creeping or binding as clearly understandable from Fig. 2; while the positioning of saidsheaves as set forth, positively precludes lateral misalignment of the cord portions I0, II relative to the longitudinal median of the head-rail groove 'l'. The relatively retroverted or'pull-portion I8 of the elevating cord is trained over a double-grooved pulley I rotative on a horizontal pivot member 2l located across a conventional cord locking device 2|; while 22 designates a cord clip for preventing derangement or separation of said pull-portion I8.

The elevating cord portions l0. I after passing over the sheaves I2, I3 respectively, are relatively expanded; or, in other words, the one portion is angularly directed, forward for example, to a grooved roller 23 freely mounted, on an inset pivot-pin 24, in a notch 25 provided for its reception in the edge of the tilt rail 26, see Fig. 3 to best advantage; whereas the other cord portion lil is reversely directed, backwards for instance, to a corresponding roller 21, similarly free, on an inset pin 28, in a notch 29 in the opposing longitudinal edge of said tilt rail. The running faces of the rollers 23, 21 are located for coaction with the elevating cord portions I0 to minimize wear on said portions thereat. The tilt rail 26 is removably supported by a conventional tilting means 30 and the depending bracket portion 3| of the elevating cord locking device 2|, as well understandable by those conversant with the art; while 32, 33 designates the tilting cords.

The ladder tapes I6, I1 are conveniently attached to the tilt rail 26 as well as the bottom rail 34 by appropriate securing means 35; while the staggeringly related rungs 38, Fig. 2, of said tapes are preferbly woven thereinto with provision of a central clearance for passage of the elevating cord portions I0, Il, in an obvious manner; whereas, the respective terminals of said cord portions are knotted at 3l. and bedded in reversely directed key-hole shaped recesses 38, having entrant notches 39 in the side edges of the bottom rail 34.

The slats 40, in accordance with this invention, are individually provided with a pair of staggeringly related edge approximately halfround notches 4|, 42, see Fig. 4 the former 4I of which is conveniently designed for registration with the elevating cord portion I0, and the latter 42 for similar location in respect to the cord portion It will be observed from Figs. 2 and 4 that the respective edge notches 4|, 42 are preferably of a radius in excess of the size of the pull-cord I0, while said notches are spacially located relative to the ends of the slat 40, so that by reversal of said slat lengthwise the notches 4I, 42 will register with the cord portions |I, I0 respectively. Still further it is to be particularly noted that each slat can be liftedoi the associated ladder tape rungs 36 and easily withdrawn, to one hand or the other, from between the ladder tapes I6, for cleaning or dusting, and as readily replaced, with the minimum of effort as well as without use of any mechanical means whatsoever.

To those conversant with the art it will be appreciated that, by this invention, there is provided, a novel Venetian blind construction enabling simple and easy removal of the individual slats 40; an improved single-lift Venetian blind which is raised and lowered by two lift cord portions I, and that said cord portions pass freely through staggeringly approximately halfround side notches 4|, 42 in the slats 40; whereas the pulleys 23, 21, in the tilt rail 28 reduce wear on the cord portions I0, to aminimum. Furthermore by a simple manipulation, of the respective tilting cords 32 or I3, the slats 40 can be closely and lappingly compacted without entanglement, in either direction, relative to the vertical for positively shutting-out light; as well as being placed either horizontal-or inclined with respect thereto-for the full or partial admission of light upwardly or downwardly as desired.

While the foregoing sets forth a preferred form of the invention in speciilc terms, it is to be un derstood that changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claim.

Having thus described by invention, I claim:

The combination, in a single-lift Venetian blind, of a head-rail having a lengthwise groove with communicating pockets and holes, said pockets having their side walls inclined in parallel relative to the vertical; a tilt rail; a bottom rail; spaced ladder tapes connecting the tilt and bottom rails with the rungs spaced to define a medial clearance lengthwise thereof; a length of cord doubled to provide blind-elevating portions and a retroverted pull-section, said elevating portions being respectively guided by the head-rail groove and passing through the ladder tape medial clearances, free of contact with said ladder tapes, and having their termini anchored in the bottom rail; grooved sheaves in the head-rail pockets and axially-rotative intermediate the inclined side walls of said pockets on lateral drifted-in pivot pins, said pivot pins, respectively. being reversely and correspondingly inclined to the horizontal to influence the cord elevating portions toward the respective edges of the tilt rail and slats; a freely-rotative roller, in a notch in each edge of the tilt rail, similarly mounted on a stationary pivot longitudinally drifted-in said tilt rail. to minimize wear thereat and having its running face in the inward path of progression of the elevating cords; slats seated on the ladder tape rungs and individually having an approximately half-round notch in each longitudinal edge. said notches alignedly registering with those in the tilt rail and each of a radius in excess of the diameter of the elevating cord portions to enable free removal and like replacement of the several slats by a simple longitudinal turning movement; means whereby the tilt rail is operable to closely compact the slats for positive exclusion of light, and to move said slats for full, or partial. admission of light; and clip means, on the doubled cord pull section eilective to prevent relative lengthwise derangement of the cord elevating portions, whereby the blind can be evenly raised or lowered at all times.

EDWARD M. KRANTZ. 

